Three kinds of rowing craft:

1. Flat water shells.
2. Open water shells.
3. Traditional skiffs.

Flat water shells are for racing and serious training. They are best suited for athletic people who do most of their rowing on calm water. Their speed is amazing and graceful.

Open water shells are great fun and exercise, and with some experience, can even handle the ocean on a light breezy day. They are light, fast, and exciting to row. In calm waters almost anyone can learn to row one, and they take intermediate skills to row in open choppy waters.

Traditional skiffs are a joy to row and easy to learn by anyone. Very stable, they are the perfect exercise boat and can even carry passengers. Safe and dry, our Heritage skiffs are aesthetically beautiful and well crafted

Two main questions to consider when choosing your rowing craft:

First, what are your typical athletic tendencies in a sport? Are you interested in building skills in a new sport (shells) or are you simply looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy exercising outdoors (skiffs)? Are you interested in rowing by yourself, or with someone else? Will you take friends or family along?

Second, what are the typical water conditions at the time and place you will most often row? These questions will help maximize the enjoyment of your purchase.

Question most often asked: I’m attracted to shells, but heard they are tippy.  What should I expect?  Here is the well-kept secret about all shells:  if you let go of the oars, you will probably tip over.  If that is not for you, consider the Heritage skiff.  We get far more people switching out of shells into skiffs (especially other brands where the buyer was misled as to the difficulty of shells) than skiffs to shells.